for measures against severe clinical mastitis.” In this case, the cow is ill and runs a fever. Deviations to the milk and/or the udder occur. “Only 5 to 10% of all clinical mastitis cases are severe and cause ‘intensive care patients,’” states Scherpenzeel. In these cases, it is justifiable to use a second-choice, broad-spectrum antibiotic that can also combat gram-negative bacteria, such as E. coli and Klebsiella. Scheijgrond thinks that a severely ill cow should not be denied antibiotics. “Especially when the consideration involves


More about E-coli


Escherichia coli and Klebsiella are included among the environmental mastitis pathogens. E. coli is one of the most common mastitis patho- gens. It thrives in bedding at temperatures of over 15˚C. E. coli is classi- fied as a gram-negative bacterium, which mostly occurs in manure, free stalls and the soil. The route of infection is always external: bacteria enter the udder through the teat opening. Once inside the quarter, they can remain dormant, but they multiply explosively in most cases, producing toxins. Toxins are also released when the bacteria die, which literally causes


critical illness in the cow. She runs a fever, loses appetite and the udder is painfully swollen and hard. Milk may contain flakes and clumps and, in some cases, even blood. The milk’s structure is watery and purulent. The cow can go into shock, which is very dangerous. When that happens, her chances of survival are reduced to only 20%. According to the VHS, about 95% of the mid-lactation cows that suffer from E. coli induced clinical mastitis is cured. Around calving, that per- centage is reduced to only 10% to 15%.


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keeping the daily dosage as low as possible.” Jan Dijkhuizen, cattle veterinarian at Graafschap Dierenartsen, is not con vinced that using antibiotics immediately in case of E. coli induced mastitis is the right way to go about combating this pathogen. “The only antibiotics that were proven effective are third and fourth generation cephalosporins. The formulary prescribes Trimethoprim-Sulfa, but that is not enough for E. coli.”


Supporting therapy Scherpenzeel, Dijkhuizen and Scheijgrond all think that


Hygiene is key in preventing mas- titis. If you use a drying injector or teat sealer when drying off cows the utmost hygiene must be used.


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